Sterilization Efficiency Research Articles

Sterilisation Efficiency of Dental Burs and Bacterial Species Investigation in Dental Clinics: Comparison Study

Sterilisation Efficiency of Dental Burs and Bacterial Species Investigation in Dental Clinics: Comparison Study

Self-Propelled Tubular Micromotors Powered by Hydrogen Bubbles under Mild Conditions: A Major Step toward Biological Applications with Live Cells.

Polymer-based tubular micromotors, featuring an inner layer of Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs), exhibit vigorous propulsion by emitting H2 bubbles in an aqueous ammonia borane (NH3BH3) solution. The hydrolysis of NH3BH3 on the PtNPs facilitates the continuous release of H2 gas from the open-end terminus, driving its forward movement. Unlike conventional O2 bubbles' systems that rely on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as fuel, these micromotors can operate in the presence of live cells within the NH3BH3 medium. Consequently, micromotors functionalized with the lectin concanavalin A demonstrate the capability to capture and release Escherichia coli (E. coli) without inducing cell death. Remaining bacteria can be detected by using standard culture techniques. Conversely, micromotors coated with TiO2 nanoparticles enable photosterilization of E. coli without fuel-induced damage. The self-stirring motion of the tubes enhances both bacterial capture and sterilization efficiency. These advancements obviate the necessity for H2O2 as a fuel source, and pave the way for the applications of micromotors in biological contexts.

The role of presence of wormlike micelles of ionic surfactants on the sterilization efficiency of sodium hypochlorite

Abstract This paper describes an attempt to increase the sterilising efficacy of sodium hypochlorite (SH) by prolonging its shelf life in gel mode through the presence of wormlike micelles. No effect was observed on the presence of SH on the ratio of highest viscosity peak of 20:80 of 3 % (w/w) sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). On the other side, the presence of SH has a relatively negative effect on transformation process from spherical (three-dimensional, 3D) micelles to wormlike (one-dimensional, 1D) micelles. The gel state of the aqueous SH solution is maintained even at a ratio of 20:80 SDS:CTAB 3 % (w/w). Measurements of the biological activity of the gel using Staphylococcus aureus bacteria show that the sterilizing efficiency of SH is enhanced by the presence of 1D micelles. In contrast, the stability of SH using the kinetic method shows a sudden decrease in its stability due to the presence of 1D micelles, and the same is the case when both SDS and CTAB micelles are present. It was concluded that the increase in the biological activity of SH due to presence of micelles in gel or liquid mode resulted from their chemical interference, which acts as an antibacterial formulation.

Development of an Effective Sterilization Protocol for Plant Tissue Culture Studies in Superfruit Aronia [Aronia melanocarpa (Michaux) Elliot

Effective sterilization protocols are crucial for a successful tissue culture study in Aronia. These protocols directly influence contamination rates, shoot health, and root development. In this context, the aim of the study is to develop an effective sterilization protocol for plant tissue culture studies in Aronia [Aronia melanocarpa (Michaux) Elliot], commonly known as the "superfruit." In study, shoot tips of the Nero Aronia variety were used as material. The sterilized shoot tips were transferred to the respective plant tissue culture media in a randomized parcels trial pattern with three replicates, each containing three explants per replicate. Various concentrations and combinations of sterilizing agents, such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), mercuric chloride (HgCl2), and ethanol (C2H5OH), were evaluated to determine their effectiveness in maintaining tissue health and reducing contamination. A total of twelve protocols were developed, incorporating different concentrations of these chemicals. The results showed that the combination of 5% NaOCl and 3% H2O2 provided the lowest average contamination rate (5%) and the highest average number of healthy (uncontaminated) explants (9.00 piece), demonstrating the sterilization efficiency of this combination. On the other hand, protocols containing HgCl2, especially at higher concentrations, resulted in impaired root development. High ethanol concentrations also contributed to effective sterilization, with the combination of 7% NaOCl and 80% ethanol yielding a low contamination rate (8%) and preserving tissue health. This study emphasizes the need to balance sterilization protocols between effective contamination control and tissue viability. The findings are expected to benefit the improvement and development of tissue culture techniques for Aronia and similar species, providing a basis for further research on effective sterilization practices, which are currently limited in Aronia tissue culture.

Efficiency and mechanistic insights of photocatalytic degradation and sterilization utilizing g-C3N4/WO3-x Z-scheme heterojunction under full-spectrum light

Designing highly efficient full-spectrum responsive Z-scheme heterojunction for wastewater decontamination and disinfection is urgently essential. Herein, a novel Z-scheme g-C3N4/WO3-x heterojunction was successfully synthesized by a facile wet impregnation method for the highly efficient photocatalytic degradation and sterilization. Benefiting from the accelerated charge separation, broadened light absorption to near infrared region, and appropriate band energy, optimized g-C3N4/WO3-x heterojunction exhibited photocatalytic degradation of 86.3 % and 97.4 % tetracycline in 2 h under visible light and full-spectrum light, respectively. Meanwhile, 6.5-log of Escherichia coli strains could also be inactivated by optimized g-C3N4/WO3-x heterojunction within 45 min and 15 min under visible light and full-spectrum light, respectively. Impressively, it also exhibited desirable anti-interference ability and satisfying photocatalytic degradation capacity with various key experimental parameters. The plausible degradation pathways of TC and the main active species involved in the photocatalysis were investigated based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis. Mineralization process of TC was further confirmed by three-dimensional fluorescence spectra (3D EMMs). Besides, Toxicity Estimation Software Tool (T.E.S.T.) and Ecological Structure-Activity Relationships (ECOSAR) program were applied to predict the noxiousness of TC and its potential intermediates. The results suggested that the excitotoxicity of intermediates generally decreased relative to the pristine TC. Finally, we propose a plausible enhancement mechanism of photocatalytic degradation and sterilization. This work sheds a new light on the design of novel full-spectrum responsive Z-scheme heterojunction for environmental remediation.

Innovative temperature-responsive membrane with an elastic interface for biofouling mitigation in industrial circulating cooling water treatment

To address the issues of scaling caused by heat and water evaporation in regard to circulating cooling water (CCW), TFC membrane filtration systems have been increasingly considered for terminal treatment processes because of their excellent separation performance. However, membrane biofouling phenomenon significantly hinders the widespread utilization of TFC membranes. In this study, to harness the thermal phenomenon of CCW and establish a stable and durable multifunctional antibiofouling layer, temperature-responsive Pnipam and the spectral antibacterial agent Ag were organically incorporated into commercially available TFC membranes. Biological experimental findings demonstrated that above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), the contraction of Pnipam molecular chains facilitated the inactivation of bacteria by the antibacterial agent, resulting in an impressive sterilization efficiency of up to 99 %. XDLVO analysis revealed that below the LCST, the establishment of a hydration layer on the functional interface resulted in the creation of elevated energy barriers, effectively impeding bacterial adhesion to the membrane surface. Consequently, a high bacterial release rate of 98.4 % was achieved on the low-temperature surface. The alterations in the functional membrane surface conformation induced by temperature variations further amplified the separation between the pollutants and the membrane, creating an enhanced "elastic interface." This efficient and straightforward cleaning procedure mitigated the formation of irreversible fouling without compromising the integrity of the membrane surface. This study presents a deliberately engineered thermoresponsive antibiofouling membrane interface to address the issue of membrane fouling in membrane-based CCW treatment systems while shedding new light on the mechanisms of "inactivation" and "defense."

The exploration of pasteurization processes and mechanisms of inactivation of Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 using radio frequency energy

Radio frequency (RF) heating has been utilized to investigate sterilization techniques, but the mechanism of sterilization via RF heating, particularly on Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), has not been thoroughly examined. In this paper, sterilization processes and potential bactericidal mechanisms of B. cereus using RF were investigated. The best heating and sterilization efficiency was achieved at (Electrode gap 130 mm, conductivity of bacterial suspension 0.1 S/m, volume of bacterial suspension 40 mL). Heating a suspension of B. cereus to 90 °C in 80 s using RF reduced the number of viable bacteria by 4.87 logarithms. At the cellular level, there was a significant leakage of nucleic acids and proteins from the bacterial cells. Additionally, the integrity of the cell membrane was severely damaged, with a decrease in ATP concentration of 2.08 mM, Na, K-ATPase activity to 10.7 (U/109 cells), and Ca, Mg-ATPase activity to 11.6 (U/109 cells). At the molecular level, transcriptomics analysis showed that RF heating of B. cereus to 65 °C produced 650 more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) compared with RF heating to 45 °C. The GO annotation analysis indicated that the majority of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were predominantly associated with cellular components. KEGG metabolic analysis showed enrichment in microbial metabolism in diverse environments, etc. This study investigated the potential bactericidal mechanism of B. cereus using RF, and provided some theoretical basis for the research of the sterilization of B. cereus.

Development of hydrothermal carbonaceous carbon/NH2-MIL-101(Fe) composite photocatalyst with in-situ production and activation of H2O2 capabilities for effective sterilization

Photocatalytic production of H2O2 has garnered significant attention, but the use of sacrificial reagents in H2O2 photosynthesis and the subsequent limited H2O2 activation efficiency would impede its practical application in water decontamination. In this work, hydrothermal carbonaceous carbon/NH2-MIL-101(Fe) (abbreviated as HTC-cf/NMIL-101(Fe)) heterojunction was fabricated through a solvothermal strategy, and serving as a self-sufficient photo-Fenton-like catalyst to in-situ generate and activate H2O2. Hydrothermal carbonaceous carbon derived from cost-effective waste coffee grounds, serving as a green and sustainable photocatalyst, demonstrated high H2O2 production rate of 612 μmol/g/h without the need for sacrificial reagents or aeration assistance. Moreover, the excellent self-sufficient photo-Fenton activity for HTC-cf/NMIL-101(Fe) can be obtained, which ascribed to the synergistic effect of self-generated H2O2 production as well as the in-situ catalytic H2O2 decomposition of •OH by Fe species in NMIL-101(Fe) and photogenerated electrons. The optimized HTC-cf/NMIL-101(Fe) photocatalyst showed simultaneous improvements in both H2O2 production and activation capabilities. Impressively, the effective circulation of Fe3+/Fe2+ in NMIL-101(Fe), aided by photogenerated electrons, results in a 5-fold increase toward H2O2 decomposition rate constant (Kd) compared to HTC-cf alone under light irradiation in open-air conditions. The enhanced charge separation and appropriate band structure of HTC-cf/NMIL-101(Fe) photocatalyst assured the high selectivity of two-electron O2-reduction to H2O2. HTC-cf/NMIL-101(Fe) displayed excellent photocatalytic sterilization efficiency against E. coli and S. aureus under visible light, and its sterilization application in actual water was also demonstrated. Notably, the adaptability of this system to ambient conditions, including open-air atmosphere, non-sacrificial reagents, and low leaching of Fe ions, highlights the promising practical utility of the HTC-cf/NMIL-101(Fe) photocatalyst.

Optimizing plasma-activated water for enhanced microbial control in agricultural produce processing

The study utilized a pinhole plasma jet discharge system to generate plasma-activated water (PAW) for the removal of microbes on bird's eye chili. Optimal conditions for PAW generation were determined using response surface methodology, achieving maximum microbial inactivation. The novelty of this study lies in designing a PAW system model for agricultural cooperatives using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology, which integrates customer and engineer/designer perspectives. The results demonstrate a maximum 82.54% microbial removal rate on bird's eye chili under optimal conditions (e.g., exposure time = 20 min, Ar gas flow rate = 5 L/min, and O2 mixture = 2% Ar gas), indicating effective antimicrobial activity of plasma-activated water. Furthermore, a model of the PAW system for agricultural cooperatives, including cost and electrical power usage estimates, is proposed based on the correlation matrix of QFD. This conceptual PAW model for agricultural cooperatives warrants further investigation to assess its consistency in sterilization efficiency and long-term effects on treated agricultural products.

Self-powered multifunctional platform based on dual-photoelectrode for dual-mode detection and inactivation of Salmonella enteritidis

Self-powered photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing is a novel sensing modality. The introduction of dual-mode sensing and photoelectrocatalysis in a self-powered system enables both detection and sterilization purposes. To this end, herein, a self-powered multifunctional platform for the photoelectrochemical-fluorescence (PEC-FL) detection and in-situ inactivation of Salmonella enteritidis (SE) was constructed. The platform utilized Bi4NbO8Cl/V2CTx/FTO as a photoanode and CuInS2/FTO as a photocathode and incubated quantum dot (QDs) signaling probes on the surface of the photocathode. During detection, the system drives the transfer of photogenerated electrons between the dual photoelectrodes through the Fermi energy level difference. The photoanode amplifies the photoelectric signal, while the photocathode is solely dedicated to the immune recognition process. QDs provide an additional fluorescence signal to the system. Under optimal experimental conditions, the multifunctional platform achieves detection limits of 3.2 and 5.3 CFU/mL in PEC and FL modes respectively, with a detection range of 2.91 × 102 to 2.91 × 108 CFU/mL. With the application of an external bias voltage, it further promotes electron transfer between the dual photoelectrodes, inhibits the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. It generates a significant amount of superoxide radicals (·O2−) in the cathodic region, resulting in strong sterilization efficiency (99%). The constructed self-powered multifunctional platform exhibits high sensitivity and sterilization efficiency, it provides a feasible and effective strategy to enhance the comprehensive capability of self-powered sensors.

Precise, Sensitive Detection of Viable Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria with a 6-Order Dynamic Range via Digital Rolling Circle Amplification.

The presence of viable pathogenic bacteria in food can lead to serious foodborne diseases, thus posing a risk to human health. Here, we develop a digital rolling circle amplification (dRCA) assay that enables the precise and sensitive quantification of viable foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Directly targeting pathogenic RNAs via a ligation-based padlock probe allows for precisely discriminating viable bacteria from dead one. The one-target-one-amplicon characteristic of dRCA enables high sensitivity and a broad quantitative detection range, conferring a detection limit of 10 CFU/mL and a dynamic range of 6 orders. dRCA can detect rare viable bacteria, even at a proportion as low as 0.1%, which is 50 times more sensitive than the live/dead staining method. The high sensitivity for detecting viable bacteria accommodates dRCA for assessing sterilization efficiency. Based on the assay, we found that, for pasteurization, slightly elevating the temperature to 68 °C can reduce the heating time to 10 min, which may minimize nutrient degradation caused by high-temperature exposure. The assay can serve as a precise tool for estimating the contamination by viable pathogenic bacteria and assessing sterilization, which facilitates food safety control.

3D hydrophobic wood membrane with micro-nano baffle structure for multifunctional air purification filters: “Kill three eagles with one arrow”

Air pollution has presented an imminent threat to the world. Multifunctional filters with high filtration efficiency, low pressure drop, moisture resistance, antibacterial properties, and renewability are urgently needed to be developed. In this study, multifunctional wood filters are innovatively designed with a baffle structure combining macroscopic structural design and microscopic in-situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The filter has excellent particle removal efficiency (PM0.3, 98.5 %), exceptional volatile organic compounds (VOCs) adsorption efficiency (98.4 % for formaldehyde and 91.7 % for xylene), high sterilization efficiency (99.99 %) and excellent regeneration ability (performance recovery to 98 % of the initial). Furthermore, personal protective masks were assembled by the prepared filters, whose process of replacing element is as simple as replacement of electric mosquito incense tablets. This innovative filter holds promise for applications such as daily protection, sudden accidents and prevention and control of respiratory infectious diseases. We envision that the functionally modified Ag NPs wood filters with a multilayer structure offer a comprehensive solution for more effective air purification in polluted environment.

Integrated processes (HPSE+scCO2) to prepare sterilized alginate-gelatine-based aerogel

Biopolymers application in biomedical areas has been limited due to the physicochemical degradation that occurs using conventional processing/sterilization methods (e.g., steam heat, γ-radiation, ethylene oxide). Aiming to avoid/minimize degradation and preserve their properties, supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) has been proposed as an alternative sterilization method for such materials. ScCO2 can simultaneously be used as a drying method to produce aerogels (i) and sterilize them (ii). However, a solvent exchange is required to prepare the alcogel from hydrogel, achievable through high-pressure solvent exchange (HPSE) (iii). This study integrated three processes: HPSE, scCO2 drying, and sterilization to prepare alginate-gelatine sterilized aerogels. Two scCO2 sterilization methods were tested. Results showed that sterilization did not compromise the aerogels’ chemical, thermal and swelling properties. Conversely, Young’s Modulus increased, and BET surface area decreased, due to the structural changes caused by the fast pressurization/depressurization rates applied during sterilization. Regarding the sterilization efficiency, results showed a reduction in contamination throughout the process, achieving a SAL of 10-4. The sterilized aerogels were non-cytotoxic in vitro and showed improved wound-healing properties. The innovative integrated process produced decontaminated/sterile and ready-to-use aerogels reducing process time by 75 %, from 2 days up to 12 h without compromising the aerogel’s properties.

PCN-222/H3PW12O40/graphene oxide@cotton cloth with improved photocatalytic/photothermal properties for water decontamination

In this study, a novel visible-light-driven PCN-222/H3PW12O40/graphene oxide@cotton cloth (PCN-222/HPW/GO@Cot) photocatalytic platform was developed for efficient water sterilization and purification. PCN-222/HPW/GO ternary photocatalyst was prepared via one-pot solvothermal method, and anchored onto cotton cloth though catechol-amine reaction. By introducing HPW as the quasi-semiconductor co-catalyst and efficient electron trap, the photocatalytic activity of PCN-222 was boosted. Besides, the addition of GO further enhanced electron transfer capability and photothermal properties. PCN-222/HPW/GO@Cot exhibited significantly improved organic dye photodegradation and sterilization efficiencies compared to PCN-222 and PCN-222/HPW coated cotton cloths. It also maintained consistent organic dye removal efficiency over reuse cycles and retained high sterilization activity after repeated washings, indicating its remarkable durability and coating stability. The band positions and the enhanced photocatalytic/photothermal mechanisms were investigated in depth. This research suggests the great potential of PCN-222/HPW/GO@Cot photocatalytic platform for practical water purification and sterilization applications, and the potential to become multifunctional textiles.

Construction of Ternary Heterostructured NaNbO<sub>3</sub>/Bi<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub>/ Ag Nanorods with Synergistic Pyroelectric and Photocatalytic Effects for Enhanced Catalytic Performance

The removal of dyes and pathogens from contaminated water remains a significant challenge. In the present study, NaNbO3 and NaNbO3/Bi2S3 powders were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method, and then the noble metal Ag was successfully deposited on NaNbO3/Bi2S3 by photoreduction to constitute the NaNbO3/Bi2S3/Ag ternary nanorods heterostructure. With continuous visible light irradiation and controlled temperature variation (25-55 °C), the monomeric NaNbO3 could degrade 73.3% of Rhodamine B (RhB) and inactivated 46% of Salmonella while the ternary complex NaNbO3/Bi2S3/Ag showed a higher RhB degradation efficiency of 94.9% as well as an higher sterilization efficiency of 82%. In addition, after four replicate experiments, NaNbO3/Bi2S3/Ag still had a high degradation efficiency. Compared with NaNbO3 monomer, NaNbO3/Bi2S3/Ag possessed stronger catalytic ability. The improvement of catalytic activity could be attributed to the efficient separation of pyroelectric and photocatalytic electrons and holes through the formation of NaNbO3/Bi2S3/Ag heterostructural nanorod. Keywords: Ternary heterostructures; Nanocomposites; Pyroelectricity; RhB solution degradation; Salmonella sterilization

Effect of power supply parameters on discharge characteristics and sterilization efficiency of magnetically driven rotating gliding arc

Plasma sterilization is a new generation of high-tech sterilization method that is fast, safe, and pollution free. It is widely used in medical, food, and environmental protection fields. Home air sterilization is an emerging field of plasma application, which puts higher requirements on the miniaturization, operational stability, and operating cost of plasma device. In this study, a novel magnetically driven rotating gliding arc (MDRGA) discharge device was used to sterilize Lactobacillus fermentation. Compared with the traditional gas-driven gliding arc, this device has a simple structure and a more stable gliding arc. Simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics showed that adding permanent magnets can form a stable magnetic field, which is conducive to the formation of gliding arcs. Experiments on the discharge performance, ozone concentration, and sterilization effect were conducted using different power supply parameters. The results revealed that the MDRGA process can be divided into three stages: starting, gliding, and extinguishing. Appropriate voltage was the key factor for stable arc gliding, and both high and low voltages were not conducive to stable arc gliding and ozone production. In this experimental setup, the sterilization effect was the best at 6.6 kV. A high modulation duty ratio was beneficial for achieving stable arc gliding. However, when the duty ratio exceeded a certain value, the improvement in the sterilization effect was slow. Therefore, considering the sterilization effect and energy factors comprehensively, we chose 80% as the optimal modulation duty ratio for this experimental device.

Sustainable water sterilization by nano-ZnO using anisotropic polysaccharide columns derived from agro-waste stalk

The escalating demand for clean water and proliferation of microbial contamination in water have challenged ecosystems and human health safety. ZnO NPs are widely used as environmental restoration agents, but their efficacy in water decontamination is hindered by low biological toxicity. In order to enhance its sterilization efficiency, we propose a top-down strategy utilizing the unique maze structure of corn stalk pith (CSP) as a germ trapper for ZnO. The in-situ delignified CSP offers abundant active sites for the adsorption of Zn2+, exhibiting the typical behaviors of monolayer, physisorption, endothermicity, spontaneity, and randomness. This adsorption behavior exerts an influence on microscopic morphology of the composite column, consequently resulting in alterations to antibacterial properties. The results show that the hybrid column fabricated under the Zn2+ initial dosage of 1.00 mol/L at 30 h for 40 °C, possesses such optimal features as stacked grain-shaped ZnO NPs of 669.3 mg/g loading amount with adhesion coefficients of 0.73 ∼ 0.86 for bacterial microparticles. Consequently, the assembled bio-filter can eliminate E. coli and S. aureus as high as 99.7 % and 96.5 % respectively, attributed to CSPP labyrinth structure to enhance pathogen capture from water and facilitate ZnO-mediated inactivation. The collective findings emphasize the viability of agro-waste stalks as bio-filters for water purification.

Sandwich-structured continuous ZIF-8/Ti3C2 MXene/ZIF-8 for efficient sterilization: Enhanced photocatalytic activity, photothermal effect, and environmental safety

The development of effective water purification systems is crucial for controlling and remediating environmental pollution, especially in terms of sterilization. Herein, we demonstrate elaborately designed composite nanosheets with a sandwich structure, composed of two-dimensional (2D) Ti3C2 MXene nanosheet core and conformal ZIF-8 ultrathin outer layers, and their potential applications in photocatalytic sterilization. The study results indicate that the conformal ZIF-8-MXene nanosheet exhibits an expanded light absorption range (826 nm), improved photothermal conversion efficiency (6.2 °C s−1), and photocurrent response, thus boosting photocatalytic sterilization efficiency (6.63 log10 CFU mL−1) against Escherichia coli under simulated sunlight within 90 min. Interestingly, 2D ZIF-8 layers exhibit positive zeta potential (19 mV), good hydrophilicity (40.6°), and local photogenerated-hole accumulation, possessing efficient bacteria-trapping efficiency. Membrane filters fabricated from optimized composite nanosheets exhibit an outstanding bacteria-trapping and sterilization efficiency (almost 100 %) against Escherichia coli under simulated sunlight within 30 min of the flow photocatalytic experiments. This work not only presents a rational structural design of the conformal and ultrathin anchoring of ZIF-8 onto a 2D conductive material for bacteria-trapping and sterilization, but also opens new opportunities for using metal–organic frameworks in photocatalytic disinfection of drinking water.

MT2 Operating Room (OR) and Sterilization Efficiencies for Total (TKA), Revision (rTKA) and Unicompartimental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA) Using a Handheld Robotic Assisted (RA) Surgical System

MT2 Operating Room (OR) and Sterilization Efficiencies for Total (TKA), Revision (rTKA) and Unicompartimental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA) Using a Handheld Robotic Assisted (RA) Surgical System

A study of the effect of testing for diversification of healthcare waste sterilization and crushing facilities

This study conducted sterilization testing under different conditions using different strains for sterilization and crushing, the intermediate healthcare waste treatment phase, and proposed strategies for diversifying corresponding facilities in addition to promoting their installation. Five indicator microorganisms were selected to test the sterilization efficiency of steam, microwave, and chemical methods. Steam sterilization testing was conducted in accordance with legal and technological standards, microwave testing was carried out according to the legal standard, and chemical sterilization employed three typical compounds. Steam and microwave sterilization achieved 99.9999 % inactivation rates for all five strains under both conditions used; whereas under the chemical sterilization analyses, sodium hypochlorite (1000 ppm) failed to meet the inactivation requirement of the fungal strain Candida albicans, requiring further investigation. Based on these findings, this study presents strategies for diversifying sterilization·crushing facilities and promoting their installation.